Bread Barfi

August 24, is Raksha Bandhan - Raksha means protection and bandhan means bond. It is a day to celebrate the relationship between brothers and sisters and predominantly celebrated by the North Indian community. It is celebrated on a full moon day in the month of Shravan (tamil month= Aani). Sisters ties the rakhee,a string of assorted designs,on the wrist of their brothers. Sisters feed their brothers sweets and brothers in return offer gifts to their sisters, promising to care for their sisters....For more write-up on Raksha Bandhan,you may look up at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raksha_Bandhan

Since I am married to one, I would like to ensure that my children, Varsha and Kiren follows the tradition and I decided to make something sweet - bread barfi. I am attaching the original version and the version I made.

Not forgetting, I am dedicating this barfi to my brother, Vikniswaran Murugain, who is so near yet so far away on business trip....we catch up this weekend, ok....

original recipe
2cups of soft breadcrumbs
1 cup of milk
1 grated coconut
1 cup of sugar
4tbs of oil
pink color as required
2-3 drops of rose essence
8-10 chopped cashnew nuts

Method
Soak bread crumbs in milk for about 10 minutes.
Combine coconut and sugar, stir over a low fire till the sugar melts.
Add the soaked breadcrumbs and stir till well mixed (for about 5 to 7 minutes).
Add oil and continue stirring till the mixture leaves the sides of the pan.
Add coloring, essence and cashewnuts and mix well till the color is evenly blended.
Turn the mixture onto a greased tray and spread it evenly.
Allow it to cool and then cut into desired shapes.
Makes 22 pieces (2"x1").

my way....

2 pieces of bread - cut into small cubes
1 cup of milk
4-6tbs of ghee
2 cups of dry coconut/dessicated coconut
1 cup of sugar
a handful of raisins
drop of green color
1tsp of essence vanilla.

method - as above